Folding machine of the buckle chute type



June 19, 1956 w. J. HANSON 2,751,221

FOLDING MACHINE OF THE BUCKLE CHUTE TYPE Filed July 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 19, 1956 w, J HANSON 2,751,221

FOLDING MACHINE OF THE BUCKLE CHUTE TYPE Filed July 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN OR Mal/f5 f 4/760/7 ATTORNEY June 19, 1956 w. J. HANSON 2,751,221

FOLDING MACHINE OF THE BUCKLE CHUTE TYPE Filed July 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY June 19, 1956 w. J. HANSON 2,751,221

FOLDING MACHINE OF THE BUCKLE CHUTE TYPE Filed July 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 EN OR ATTORNEY h/z/fer 0/7500 United States Patent FOLDING MACHINE 01; THE BUCKLE CHUTE TY E Walter J. Hanson, Port Chester, N. Y., assignor to Pitney- Bowes, Inc., Stamford, Comp, a corporation of Delaware Application July 21, 1950, Serial No. 175,079

6 Claims. (Cl. 270-68) This invention relates to a sheet folding machine of the buckle chute type, which is particularly adapted for use in oifices, clubs, churches and the like.

Sheet folding machines have been used for many years in the printing industry and in the mail rooms of the larger organizations. For the smaller organizations, olfices, clubs, churches and the like, folding machines were usually too elaborate and expensive. Many attempts have been made to develop an inexpensive folding machine however, but the machines produced were either impractical or very limited in operation.

The device of this invention has the advantage of being in a class which will economically fit the budget of the smaller user and will match the performance of the expensive machine in all of the principal types of folding operations. Further, the features included in this machine also provide for static free performance when static conditions normally prevail in other folding machines during low humidity seasons.

In the device herein disclosed, the buckle chute principle of folding is used, which is the principle use in most of the larger folding machines. A new and novel approach has been made in the structure of the buckle chute however, wherein, not only an inexpensive structure is provided, but a new result is effected in that the sheets in passing through the buckle chutes, contact with surfaces which comprise only the narrow edges of a plurality of spaced plates arranged on edge, which eliminate the static conditions so prevalent in sheet folding machines.

Inexpensive sheet metal stampings are used in the buckle chute structure, also in the development of the frame, feed plate and stacker. Further, the arrangement for tying the entire structure together, the mounting of -the folding rollers and drive, have resulted in structure of unusual simplicity, yet is capable of producing a variety and type of work which will match that of the more elaborate and expensive folding machines.

It is'one object of the invention therefore, to provide buckle chutes for a sheet folding machine, wherein the sheet engaging surface comprises edge portions of a plurality of slotted narrow flat plates arranged in horizontally spaced relation at right angles to the folding rollers, to reduce frictional surface contact to the extent that a static charge resulting from the sheet surface contact is eliminated.

It is another object to provide a buckle chute consisting of a group of plate assemblies wherein each assembly comprises two vertically arranged stamped plates, an outer and an inner plate, and wherein the inner plate is positioned within an opening in the outer plate and is arranged so that a space is provided between the outer periphery of the inner plate and the inner peripheral opening of the outer plate, within which space a sheet of paper is adapted to pass when moving toward stop elements to effect buckling.

it is another object to provide in combination with a driven central folding roller and three cooperating rollers in frictional contact therewith, at positions above, below and at one side thereof, a simple means for elfecti'ng pressure of the side and lower rollers against the central roller, which pressure will be substantially equal to the normal gravity pressure of the upper roller.

7 It is another object to provide in a folding machine, a structure wherein the frame which supports the folding rollers comprises side walls secured by tie-rods, and wherein the buckle chutes, sheet feed plate and a stacker chute are all supported by the tie-rods.

It is another object to provide an inexpensive structure for a sheet folding machine, wherein the frame, buckle chute, feed plate and stacker elements comprise sheet metal stampings.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the folding machine looking toward the sheet feeding and stacking end thereof;

Fig. 2 is a vertical side sectional view taken through the machine along the lines 22 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical front sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 looking at the ends of the roller supporting bearings at one side of the machine;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view showing the bearing structure of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the buckle chute plates;

Fig. 7 is another perspective view of the buckle chute plate which is adapted to be assembled within the plate shown in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a modified arrangement of buckle chute plate structure.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a frame structure is provided which comprises two side plates 10-10, preferably of stamped sheet metal, which plates are supported by tie-rods 11.

Folding rollers are provided, as best shown in Fig.2, and comprise a central roller 12 of preferably rubber or similar composition, also an upper roller 13, lower roller 14 and a side roller 15, frictionally engaged with the central roller 12. The rollers 13, 14 and 15 are preferably metal and have pintle portions 13a, 14a and 15a respectively mounted in the bearings 13b, 14b and 15b. The central roller 12 has a core or shaft 16 which extends beyond the ends of the rubber roller portion and is supported within bearings 171'7.

As best shown in Fig. 5, each side plate 10 is provided with an opening 18 for the support of the bearing 17 and has three slots 13c, 14c and continuing from the upper, lower and side portion of the opening 18, which slots are adapted to slidably support the bearings 13b, L4!) and 15b respectively. The bearing 17 has a shoulder 19 which fits within the opening 18 and includes a flange which limits the distance that the hearing may move inward. The bearings 13b, 14b and 15b are undercut as indicated at 13d, 14d and 15d, to provide means whereby said bearings may be slidably mounted within the slots 13c, 14c and 15c respectively.

The upper roller 13 will normally rest on the central roller 12', the weight of the roller providing sufficient pressure to effect the feed of a sheet when the central roller 12 is rotated. The lower roller 14 and side roller 15 are also adapted to frictionally engage the central roller 12 with substantially the same pressure as that of the upper roller 13, said pressure being effected by means of coil springs 22-32 which are Wrapped around. the bearings 17, 14b and 15b and have their ends connected as indicated at 23, in the manner best shown in Fig. 4.

A simple arrangement is thus provided for the support of the rollers within the side plates 10 which permits rapid assembly, and provides a substantial and flexible arrangement wherein the rollers 13, 14 and 15, which engage the central roller 12, may yield in accordance with the thickness of sheets which pass therebetween.

- A drive provided for the central roller 12 preferably comprises a pulley 24 which is secured to one end of the central roller shaft 16, which pulley is adapted to be driven by a belt 25 from a motor driven pulley 26. The pulley 26 is mounted on a shaft 27 of a motor 28. A small hand wheel 29 is also secured to the end of the shaft 16 projecting from the opposite side of the machine, as best shown in Fig. 3. Both the pulley 24 and hand wheel 29, when secured to the shaft 16, obstruct outward ;movement of the bearings 17-17, thereby confining the assembly of the central roller and its associated parts within the frame structure in an adequate manner. The outer rollers 13, 14 and 15 are also confined within the side plates of the frame structure inasmuch as the undercut portions 13d, 14d and d thereof are arranged .to prevent outward movementof the bearings 13b, 14b

and 15b.

A novel arrangement of buckle chutes has been provided which comprises the use of sheet metal stampings preferably in the form of two elements, namely, an outer buckle chute member 31 and an inner buckle chute member 32, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7 respectively.

p The outer buckle chute member 31 comprises a substantially circular outer contour having one open end or mouth 33, and an upper extended portion 34 with a cavity 35 therein. Said outer buckle chute member 31 also includes an inner opening 36 of substantially circular curvature from a position beginning at the top vertical center and continuing for about 225. An angular portion 37 continuesfrom the upper portion of the opening 36 to the mouth 33, and an angular portion 38 forms a tangent vwith the circular curvature of the lower portion of the opening 36 and continues to the mouth 33.

The inner buckle chute member comprises a substantially circular structure having an outer contour agreeing with the inner contour of the outer buckle chute member, but of slightly smaller diameter. A cavity 39 is provided at one end of said inner buckle chute member, also a central opening 41.

Each of the buckle chute members 31 and 32 also have bayonet slotted openings therein, as indicated at 42 and 43 respectively, and are adapted to be assembled on certain of the tie-rods 11 in the manner best shown in Fig. 2. More specifically, the outer buckle chute member 31 is adapted to be supported by the tie-rods indicated at 11a,

: 11b and 11c, while the inner buckle chute member 32 is adapted to be supported by the tie-rod 11a. The inner buckle chute member 32 fits within the outer buckle chute member 31 and when assembled within the machine, said chutes are disposed at right angles to the folding rollers.

' The assembly of the buckle chute members on the tierods is accomplished by passing the tie-rods 11a, 11b, 110 of the outer buckle chute 31 through the enlarged portions of the bayonet openings 42, and after securing the ends of the tie-rods 11b and 110 to the side plates 10 by means of screws 44, the outer buckle chute members are rocked counter-clockwise to cause the narrow portions of the bayonet slots to be moved into a locking relation with reduced grooved portions 45 in said tie-rods 11b and 110. Said grooved portions 45 are spaced along the tie-rods, as best illustrated in Fig. 3, and thus effect the spacing of the buckle chute assemblies therealong. With the members 31 thus assembled, the tie-rod 11a is then moved from its position within the enlarged portions of the bayonet openings to the narrow portions, whereupon the tie-rod is secured in place by the end screws 44. Support of the innerbuckle members 32 includes both the tie-rod 11d and a tray 46. Said tray 46 is positioned at the lower "end of the central opening 41 and has end prongs secured within the side walls 10, as indicated at 47- -47 of Figs. 1

{and 3, and further includes angular side extensions on which the folding machine is placed.

48-48, which are notched as at 49 for engagement by the edges of the opening 41 of the inner buckle chute members 32.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the cavity 35 of the upper buckle chute member 31 fits around the upper roller 13, while the cavity 39 of the inner buckle chute member fits around the side roller 15, the cavities being of sufiicient size to clear the rollers 13 and 15. It will also be seen that a slot 51 remains as a result of the spaced relation between the inner contour of the outer buckle chute member 31 and the outer contour of the inner buckle chute member 32. It will be further noted from Fig. 2 that the mouth of the slot 51 formed at 33a, above the roller 15, is in the direct path of the bite between the upper roller 13 and central roller 12, so that a sheet of paper, upon passing through said rollers 13 and 12, will engage with the edge of the inner buckle chute member 32 and be directed into the slot 51. It will also be noted that the lower portion of the slot 51 formed at 33b, below the roller 15, is in the direct path of the bite between the central roller 12 and side roller 15 to receive the folded portion of a sheet entering therein.

Suitable stop elements are provided as indicated at 52, which elements may be of any convenient construction.

.As best shown in Fig. 8, said stop elements comprise a strip of metal having a bent-over portion 53 adapted to engage over the outside edge of the outer buckle chute member 31 and be clamped thereto by a set screw 54. One portion of-the strip is extended to block off the slot 51, thereby acting as a stop for a sheet passing within said slot.

The tray 46, which holds the lower portions of the .inner'buckle chute members 32 in horizontally spaced relation, also provides a base for the support of a motor bracket 55, within the openings 41 of said inner buckle chute members.

If desired, the outer and inner buckle chutes may be fabricated in one piece as indicated in Fig. 8, there being a joint portion as indicated at 56.

A sheet supporting feed plate is provided, as indicated at 57, and comprises a flat piece of sheet metal having two side walls 58 bent upwardly therefrom with notches .59 therein. Said feed plate is assembled by inserting one end thereof between the tie-rod 11a and tie-rod lle therebeneath, and seating the base thereof on the tie-rod 11a when the notches 59 become engaged by the tie-rod 11a. The feed plate is thus adequately supported and has a portion 61 of the base portion thereof extending toward the bite between the rollers 12 and 13. During a folding operation, sheets are stacked within the feed plate with the leading ends thereof feathered toward the folding rollers 12 and 13, the uppermost sheet being closest to the rollers. Feeding is then best effected by placing a rubber cot on the index finger of the operator and wiping same across the top of the stack in-a rhythmical fashion. Surprising speed can be accomplished by operators which approaches that of some power fed machines.

A stacker chute 62 is also provided, which again preferably comprises a stamped fiat sheet having fins 63 bent downwardly to form a suitable hooking means to grip a tie-rod 11 and thereby support one end of the stacker chute. The opposite end of the stacker chute will preferably rest upon the surface of a table or stand A shelf 64 projects toward the bite between the rollers 12 and 14 to guide the folded sheets as they are fed from said ture of the entire folding machine, supporting feet 66 are provided in the form of rubber rings which are easily assembled on the lowermost tie-rods 11g and 110.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is:

In asheet folding machine, the combination with sheet folding rollers including a central roller having an upper roller, lower roller and side roller frictionally engaged therewith; of buckle chutes comprising a group of vertically disposed and horizontally aligned spaced plates having horizontally aligned central openings and aligned slotted portions therein, stop means, the slotted portions cooperating with the rollers and stop means to effect buckling and folding of the sheets fed thereto, supporting means for said vertically disposed plates, and a power drive for said central roller including a motor mounted within the central opening in said plates.

2. In a sheet folding machine, the combination with sheet folding rollers including a central roller having an upper roller, lower roller and side roller frictionally engaged therewith, and a side roller frictionally engaging the central roller; of buckle chutes comprising a plurality of fiat plate structures including outer and inner plates vertically positioned in spaced horizontal relation to each other and in operative relation to the folding rollers, each plate structure having a slot resulting from space between the outer and inner plates the outer plate having an opening through one end thereof and enveloping the side roller, said opening providing a mouth portion for the entry of the leading end of a sheet to one portion of the slot upon passing through the upper and central rollers or to another portion of the slot upon passing through the central and side rollers during a feeding operation, stop members adjustably mounted relative to the slots to restrict the movement of the sheet in one direction during a folding operation, supporting means for said plates and rollers, and a drive for the central folding roller.

3. A sheet folding machine, comprising a frame including side walls and having tie-rods secured therebetween, said tie-rods having annular grooves spaced therealong, folding rollers mounted within and between the side walls, buckle chutes comprising plates having bayonet slots therein and positioned along the tie-rods at right angles to the folding rollers with the narrower portions of the bayonet slots engaging the grooves in the tie-rods, each plate having a slotted area therein including mouth portions located at points where a sheet may enter after passing through folding rollers, and stops adjustably positioned relative to the buckle chute plates.

4. In a sheet folding machine, the combination with sheet folding rollers including a central roller having an upper, lower and side roller frictionally engaged therewith; of a buckle chute structure comprising outer and inner members wherein each member comprises a fiat sheet metal stamping, each outer member having an open central portion and an opening through one end thereof to provide an open mouth portion, each inner member having an outer contour coinciding with the contour of the central opening of the outer member but of smaller dimension from edge to edge, a supporting frame for said rollers, means to vertically support said outer members in a horizontally spaced relation within said frame with the open mouth portions thereof adjacent the folding rollers and enveloping the side roller, the inner members being supported within and in vertical alignment with the outer members, there being a space between the outer contour of the inner member and the inner contour of the central opening of the outer member, stop elements adjustably mounted relative to the buckle chute members to effect space obstruction, and means to rotate the central roller and thereby frictionally drive the other rollers, whereby a sheet passed between one pair of rollers will be driven through the aligned spaces between said outer and inner members to a stop position to effect a buckling and folding operation.

5. In a sheet folding machine, the combination with a frame having folding rollers supported therein, said frame comprising two side walls having tie-rods secured therebetween, buckle chutes comprising a plurality of stamped flat metal plates supported by selected tie-rods in units of two and at right angles to the folding rollers, each plate unit comprising an inner plate nested Within and in spaced peripheral relation to an opening in an outer plate, said outer plates also having end openings adjacent to and embracing the folding rollers to provide entry for the sheets to the peripheral spacing between plates of each unit after passing through folding rollers, stop members associated with the buckle chutes, a sheet feed plate removably supported by selected tie-rods, and a stacker chute having one end supported on one of the tie-rods.

6. In a folding machine, side plates forming part of a framework; folding rollers extending between said side plates; a plurality of flat plates supported by said side plates in spaced relation at one side of said rollers and standing at right angles thereto, each plate having a notched portion to receive one of said rollers and a plurality of continuous edge portions extending adjacent to and away from said one of the rollers; a second plurality of flat plates supported in spaced relation, each substantially coplanar with one of said first-named plurality of plates, and each having continuous edge portions lying in closely spaced relation to the edge portions of its associated plate of the first-named plurality, each plate of said second-named plurality having a hiatus receiving the folding rollers and forming with its corresponding plate of the first-named plurality a pair of buckle chute slots into which a sheet may be fed by said folding rollers, said closely spaced edges constituting the sole means for guiding sheets propelled by said folding rollers during folding.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

